LGBT CAUCUS

This LGBT Caucus is concerned that, since the change of procedures, the LGBT Disabled Caucus did not have time to meet, to prepare motions to the National Disabled Members’ Conference, and the meeting on 6 August was cancelled by National Headquarters. Therefore the LGBT Caucus did not have time to prepare motions or amendments to […]

London Bombings

We condemn the horrific attacks on London on 7 July, 2005, and extend our deepest sympathies to the bereaved families and friends of the 55 who died, and to the hundreds of others who have endured terrible physical and psychological injuries. We applaud the commitment and courage displayed by fire fighters, health workers, council workers […]

Commission for Equality and Human Rights

Conference welcomes the progress made on the introduction of a single Commission for Equality and Human Rights(CEHR). However Conference is very concerned that there are still no plans to introduce legislation relating to the CEHR’s powers, constitution, terms of reference and details of the various strands and their link to each other. Conference is also […]

Public Bodies

Conference is delighted that changes to legislation in April 2005 will impose a new disability equality duty on public bodies and some private companies. We believe these new duties could reconstruct a barrier-free society and provide equality of opportunity for the millions of disabled people who are in work, want to work, and those who […]

Recognition of British Sign Language

Conference is outraged that teaching establishments across the United Kingdom are threatening the recognition of British Sign Language (BSL) and the future of deaf people. We call upon the National Disabled Members’ Committee to work with the National Executive Council to continue to campaign for BSL to be recognised in reality by: 1)challenging proposals to […]

Participation in Campaigning Activities

Conference recognises the right of every member to take part in the union’s campaigning activities, including attendance at marches and rallies. It is therefore important that, as with all other areas of the union’s work, steps are taken to ensure such events are fully accessible to disabled members. We therefore call upon the National Disabled […]

Disability Awareness within UNISON Courses

Conference is concerned that South East Region has unfortunately discovered that disability and equality awareness is not consistent within all UNISON regional education and training courses. Conference instructs National Disabled Members’ Committee to liaise with the regional education committees to ensure that appropriate disability awareness training is included on all UNISON education and training programmes […]

Draconian Changes in Terror Trials

The Home Secretary, David Blunkett is proposing a raft of new measures and amendments to existing anti-terrorism legislation which will extend his powers and local law enforcement agencies which include the following:- ·creation of ‘no jury anti-terrorist courts, these are all under the guise of building safe and secure communities ·introduction of special terrorism trials […]

QUALITY OF EMPLOYMENT PROTECTION REPRESENTATION

At the National Delegate Conference in 1997 Conference voted overwhelmingly for paid Black officers in every region – to be available amongst other things, to advise on the quality of representation afforded to Black Members. The union saw fit never to implement this motion despite the motion being union policy. Prior to and since this […]

RACE RELATIONS AMENDMENT ACT AND RACE EQUALITY SCHEMES

Since the Amendment to the Race Relations Acts of 1976 and the implementation of the Race Equality Schemes in April 2002, little progress appears to have been made in all of the public sectors. Employers continue to drag their heels and demonstrate lack of enthusiasm regarding producing and implementing their Race Equality Schemes. Conference therefore […]

MIGRATION TRAFFICKING AND TRADE

This Black Members’ Conference notes the Government’s programme of managed migration and acknowledges that there is a need to open a proper debate about the demand for migration workers. If the UK is to sustain its place as the world’s fourth largest economy then migration is needed. Conference believes that as well as accepting the […]

GENOCIDE IN SUDAN

The Sudanese government’s campaign of the ethnic cleansing of Black Africans is all but complete. State-backed Arab militia and the Sudanese army have driven over a million people from their homes. Murder, rape and robbery are the tools used to force Black Africans to flee the Darfur region. The West’s response has been to flood […]

MASSACRES IN NORTHERN AND EASTERN UGANDA BY LORD’S RESISTANCE ARMY

Conference note that over the last 18 years, the rebels of Lord Resistance Army (LRA) have been abducting children, torturing and slaughtering innocent people of Northern & Eastern Uganda. The 18 year war against Uganda Government by the LRA has resulted in numerous massacres of the local population and the abduction of up to 20,000 […]

Migrant Workers

Conference notes that there is a global increase in the number of migrant workers. Many are very skilled with extensive knowledge and skills in the UK, we should value the contribution they make to our economy and the ethnic and cultural diversity they bring to this society. We should welcome all migrant workers who are […]

Criminal Records Bureau Checks

Conference is concerned about the over representation of Black employees targeted for CRB Checks. We are aware that the Criminal Justice system is institutionally racists and that Local Authorities in general are also guilty of institutionalised racism. In addition Conference has seen the inappropriate use of the Police Stop and Search against the Black Community. […]